While most Republicans are avoiding talk of a government shutdown, former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said Monday that he would support one as the “shocker” that gets big-spending politicians to accept fiscal restraint.

“Personally, I think there’s nothing wrong with a government shutdown,” Steele said on ABC News’s “Top Line” webcast. “It is the shocker.”

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Steele has never been one for staying on his party’s message and House Speaker John Boehner, among other top Republicans, has in recent days steered clear of any talk about a shutdown.

But Steele said he thinks a government shutdown could ultimately be useful to cutting federal spending. “It is the reality check that the spenders need to have, that those who are trying to chart a different course need to have, whether they’re Republicans or Democrats in the Congress,” he said. A Quinnipiac University poll released last week found that 46 percent of Americans share Steele’s perspective and think a shutdown would be a good thing for the country.

The former RNC chair also spoke on the emerging race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, saying hopefuls are employing “a good strategy” by waiting to officially declare their candidacies. “There’s no real need to jump into this right now,” he said.

“Each of these candidates are coming to the table not tepidly but with a little bit of reservation,” he said. “I think they’re anxious to get in there, they just want to make sure when they do, they land with a big bump, not a thud.”

Steele said that among the pool of hopefuls considering a White House bid, “all of them and none of them” have the best shot of beating President Barack Obama. “Barack Obama is a formidable, formidable opponent, not just being the incumbent president but as a candidate, someone who understands how to message to the people in the campaign scenario.”

Steele offered his views on a few potential candidates, including former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who gave a major speech in New Hampshire this weekend in which he called for the repeal of President Barack Obama’s health care law. As governor, Romney presided over the creation of a statewide health care system that in many ways parallels Obama’s program.

“For Mitt Romney, he’s got a health care elephant he has to deal with among the base,” Steele said.

The similarities between Massachusetts’s health care law and the federal law are “a talking point his team does not want to have out there,” he said. “There are some distinct differences, and I think it’s going to be important for … Mitt Romney to make clear what those differences are.”

Steele, who in January lost his bid for a second term as RNC chair, said he is seeking out a spot on cable news.

“I’m looking at doing some television, certainly, and doing some writing,” he said. “Keep the storylines going on politics because it is about where the country goes and I like to have a role and a voice to say in that. And, of course, make some money because I have to keep the kid in school and have him graduate.”

Spoken like a guy who has all his bills paid, a retirement plan, and plenty of vacation time. I'll tell my parents to call him when their social security checks don't hit their bank accounts and they need to pay their bills.

Who was elected chairman of the RNC because of his race Who was chairman of the RNC when republican donors refuse to send money to the RNC Who went around the country yelling fire Polsi just to elect republicans In the last 45 years who was chairman of the RNC that produced an election landslide for house republicans What Chairman of the RNC in recent years was made a complete fool of

Michael Steele you are a complete idiot. You have no regard for the millions of people that depend on the government for their income. I suppose you don't but why not think of the people that do. That's what is wrong with this country and our politicians. They think of no one but themselves. What job can you go to and work two years and get a pension,automatic cost of living, health care? That is why so many people want to be politicians so they can control people's lives. Michael, you of all people should know better. If you had done your job you probably would have still been Chairman of the RNC but you see how quick they got rid of your tail but I am sure you haven't missed a beat because you get a pension from the LT Gov's job and I am sure you saved some of that money you were paid as Chairman. Wouldn't hurt you if the government shut down.

I FULLY support shutdown of government, this would save taxpayers a LOT of money. Too many employees in PUBLIC SECTOR, straight EXPENDITURES for Taxpayers. Shutdown means NO SALARY for government employees! SHUTDOWN THE GOVERNMENT!

Icelanders shutdown their government for 145 days, USA should do the SAME THING so these politicians and public sector employees living off TAXPAYERS back will have a LESSON TO LEARN, you cannot spend what you do NOT have, you cannot continue expanding government and programs when the coffer is EMPTY!

DOWNSIZING OF GOVERNMENT IS REQUIERED!

February, 2011 DEFICIT is $223 BILLION, bigger than entire deficit of 2007. Obama is BREAKING RECORDS FOR DEFICIT in US history. Does Obama care? HELL NO! He's a party animal, peony golfer and non-stop campaigner-in-chief.

Government posts biggest monthly deficit ever

Glen Perkins delivers copies of the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget to the Senate Budget Committee hearing room in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Feb. 14, 2011. President Barack Obama will send Congress a $3.7 trillion budget that would reduce deficits by $1.1 trillion over a decade, setting up a battle with Republicans who have already deemed the plan insufficient to reduce federal debt. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

The federal government posted its largest monthly deficit in history in February at $223 billion, according to preliminary numbers the Congressional Budget Office released Monday morning.

That figure tops last February’s record of $220.9 billion, and marks the 29th straight month the government has run in the red — a modern record. The last time the federal government posted even a monthly surplus was September 2008, just before the financial collapse.

Last month’s federal deficit is nearly four times as large as the spending cuts House Republicans have passed in their spending bill, and is more than 30 times the of Senate Democrats’ opening bid of $6 billion.

Senators are slated to vote this week on those two proposals — both of which are expected to fail — and then all sides will go back to the negotiating table to try to work out a final deal.

I FULLY support shutdown of government, this would save taxpayers a LOT of money. Too many employees in PUBLIC SECTOR, straight EXPENDITURES for Taxpayers. Shutdown means NO SALARY for government employees! SHUTDOWN THE GOVERNMENT!